The Mental Load of Entrepreneurship: How We Can Avoid Burnout and Prioritise Wellbeing

Running a business is exciting, but let’s be honest—it can also be exhausting. The long hours, constant decision-making, and pressure to succeed can weigh you down. And if you’re a woman entrepreneur—especially a woman of colour—you might feel like you’re carrying even more. You’re not just building a business; you’re often navigating bias, managing family responsibilities, and proving yourself in spaces that weren’t built with you in mind.

So how do you protect your wellbeing while growing your business? How do you avoid burnout without sacrificing success? Let’s talk about it.

Stop Wearing ‘Busy’ as a Badge of Honor

Somewhere along the way, being busy became a status symbol. There’s this idea that if you’re not working 24/7, you’re not serious about your business. But the truth? Hustle culture is a fast track to burnout.

Somewhere along the way, being busy became a status symbol. There’s this idea that if you’re not working 24/7, you’re not serious about your business. But the truth? Hustle culture is a fast track to burnout.

Melissa Butler, founder of The Lip Bar, learned this firsthand. She started her business while working on Wall Street, hand-making vegan lipsticks in her kitchen after long workdays. In the early years, she did everything herself—product formulation, packaging, marketing, even customer service. But over time, she realized that grinding non-stop wasn’t sustainable. She had to step back, delegate, and focus on the bigger picture.

Today, The Lip Bar is stocked in major retailers like Target and Walmart, and Melissa leads with intention rather than exhaustion. She often speaks about the importance of prioritising mental health and not tying self-worth to non-stop work.

If you feel guilty for resting, remind yourself that burnout isn’t a sign of dedication—it’s a sign that something needs to change. Your best work happens when you’re rested, clear-headed, and intentional about where you put your energy.

Boundaries Are a Form of Self-Respect

When you run your own business, it’s easy to let work bleed into every part of your life. A quick email at 10 PM turns into a late-night work session. One weekend call becomes every weekend call. Before you know it, you’re working all the time and resenting the very thing you built.

Sharmadean Reid, the founder of The Stack World and Wah Nails, speaks a lot about the importance of boundaries. She structures her workdays so she has time to recharge, making sure her schedule includes breaks, personal time, and deep work sessions. She built a company culture that encourages balance—not burnout.

It might feel uncomfortable at first, but start small. Set a cutoff time for work emails. Block off evenings for yourself. Let clients know when you’re available—and when you’re not. You don’t have to be accessible 24/7 to be successful.

Your Mental Health Is a Business Expense

Entrepreneurship can take a toll on your mental health, but often, self-care gets pushed to the bottom of the list.

Therapy, exercise, or even just taking a proper lunch break can feel like things you’ll get to once everything else is done. But here’s the thing: your mind is your most valuable business asset. If you’re running on empty, your business will suffer.

Marielle Legair, personal branding strategist and founder of Women Who Influence, credits therapy and mindfulness practices for helping her navigate the pressures of entrepreneurship. And she’s not alone. More and more women entrepreneurs are realising that self-care isn’t an indulgence—it’s a necessity.

If therapy isn’t accessible right now, try smaller steps. Apps like The Shine App offer guided meditations and mental health support. Even simple things—journaling, deep breathing, going for a walk—can make a difference.

You Don’t Have to Do It All

One of the biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make is trying to do everything themselves. If you’re spending hours on admin work instead of growing your business, it might be time to delegate.

Tiffany Aliche, also known as The Budgetnista, learned this lesson as she built her personal finance empire. She started out doing everything on her own but quickly realised that hiring a team allowed her to focus on what she does best—educating and inspiring. Today, she runs a multimillion-dollar business while maintaining a balanced life.

Think about where you can lighten your load. Maybe that means hiring a virtual assistant, automating your social media, or outsourcing bookkeeping. Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should.

Success Doesn’t Have to Be Lonely

Entrepreneurship can feel isolating, but it doesn’t have to be. Having the right people around you makes all the difference. A strong support system—whether that’s a business coach, a mastermind group, or a few close friends who understand the journey—can keep you grounded.

Rachel Rodgers, founder of Hello Seven, built a community of ambitious women entrepreneurs who support and uplift each other. She encourages women to seek out spaces where they feel seen, heard, and empowered. And that kind of support? It’s priceless.

If you don’t have a network yet, start by reaching out to like-minded entrepreneurs. Join an online community, attend a business event, or simply connect with someone you admire. You don’t have to do this alone.

Define Success on Your Own Terms

What does success actually mean to you? More money? More freedom? More impact? If your definition of success is making you miserable, it’s time to rethink the plan.

Your business should support your life—not consume it. It’s okay to slow down. It’s okay to rest. It’s okay to pivot if something isn’t working.

Rachel Rodgers talks about this in her book, We Should All Be Millionaires. She challenges women to dream bigger but also to build businesses that allow them to live—not just work.

So ask yourself: What kind of life do you want your business to create for you? And what small step can you take today to move closer to that?

Final Thought

Running a business can be hard. But sacrificing your health and happiness isn’t the price of success.

The most successful entrepreneurs aren’t the ones who work the hardest—they’re the ones who know when to step back, recharge, and focus on what really matters.

So take care of yourself. Protect your energy. Build a business that works for you, not against you.

Your future self will thank you.